Saturday, November 6, 2010

Kings-Predators Recap: Mullets Are Awesome

The Kings have been unstoppable at home this season, but when the Nahsville Predators rolled into town, I started to worry.

Yes, they were dealing with key injuries. Yes, Shane O'Brien would undoubtedly plan to rattle my boys. And Shea Weber....well, we all remember the Olympics last year, yes? The shot so hard it nicked the back of the net and put the fear of God and Team Canada in everyone's hockey hearts? Yes, that Shea Weber is CAPTAIN of the opposing team.

Saturday games were quite simply Kryptonite for the Kings last year -- especially Saturday afternoon games, especially against the Predators. Thank goodness the hockey powers that be rescheduled the game from 1 PM to 7 PM to help us out! And this year, we had a secret super-power more critical than rocket-hard shots and $10 million sniping left wingers to help bring home a win.

We had mullets.

If you missed Kings "Mullet Mania," you were sleeping under a rock for the past 24 hours. Go to the Kings Court facebook page and fix that...NOW.

It started at practice, with all the Kings players wearing mullets in honor of Ryan Smyth's 1,000 NHL game. It continued when the players skated onto the ice wearing said mullets, taking a few laps around the ice, and then tossing them over the boards to the elation of fans.

I think this look works for Westy and Willy....

I love this team!

Beyond the obvious comedy factor, this is when you know you have a group of hockey players that are a REAL TEAM. They care enough about each other that they think of something unique and personal to honor one of their own. Anyone can chip in to buy a watch. It takes a real team mate to make a fool out of himself to show the love. Well played boys, well played.

Of course, the real mullet has power of it's own.

The man, the mullet, the legend....

The power park it in front of the net for the 1,000 time, screen yet another superb opposing goaltender, take a feed from the team mate that wants you to have your moment of glory be as magnificent as possible -- and score a goal. A momentous night for a gentle warrior and model King.

And thank goodness for the power of the mullet to energize the crowd, because after war with Tampa Bay Thursday night, this game felt like a bit of a snooze-fest, albeit a winning one. It was probably especially boring for poor Kevin Westgarth, who still can't get a fight. Nice to see Shane O'Brien brought his brain to the game for once and kept his mouth shut.

So with the 4-1 victory, the Kings are perfect at home, hold a 10-3 record and sit at the top of the NHL standings, 1 point ahead of the Philadelphia Flyers.